XST1085 vs IST1085 vs MHX ST1084?

Hey fellas, anyone use any or all of the blanks above for inline spinners for steelies or fall run kings in the 10-25lb range?

Bank fished Thermalito this year on a 8.5 medium action/medium power and was a bit undergunned IMO but manageable with #5 Vibrax.

These three 9ers all seem pretty well matched on paper.

Or should I make a jump to the IST 1144/XST1264?

Maybe MHX ST1144/ST1204?

Got plenty of casting room albeit some combat bank fishing?

Thoughts appreciated!

Rainshadow 1144 is my favorite hardware blank

Thx Denham!

The IST or XST version of the 1144?

Is the action speed rating accurate or is more fast than mod fast?

I was using a mod fast action Lami and it felt more mod than mod fast.

It's the XST version! The rod is definitely a mod-fast just like its stated. I use braid so I prefer a more moderate action to compensate for lack of stretch. Once it gets flexed into the backbone the rod has a ton of ass. If you weren't a fan of the moderate action lami you had then you may want something with a faster action than the 1144.

I have an XST 1085 wrapped as a baitcaster, use it as a big steelhead drift rod. Run 17 main line mono to 15 leaders, plenty of power in the butt with good sensitively for the bite. Best all around drift rod I've cast for fish in the 10-20 lb. class

Thx Denham!

The XST1144 is listed as MF although disco'd.

The IST is still around.

I also used braid when huckin' hardware just wondering if I should move up in action to F even when using briad.

If you're using braid then I don't think moving to a fast action is necessary unless its something you know you'll prefer.

I would lean in the direction of a more moderate action rod if I'm using braid a lot.

Thx fellas, I really appreciate the insite.

Admittedly, the hardware method is a bit new to me. I just grabbed what I thought would work at the time and went to it!

That being said, after a couple trips and learning as I go, the MF action Lami seemed a bit slower than other MF actions so hence going to F.

In heavier current the medium power didnt seem to have enough ass or shut off, blank was bending up to foregrip.

However, I am fully aware all manufacturers have their own nomenclature.

At the same time, fast action and braid with sudden hits makes me wonder on blank durability.

Keep the info coming!

i use braid on all my rods, slow, moderate, fast, doesnt matter... what ive learned is that its more me when using braid vs the action...

you have to adjust...

when i first switched to braid like 8-10 years ago, i was busting hooks in half on hooksets that were into rocks and such.... super sensitive compared to mono, but i dont use cheap rods either so thats also played into it...

now, im fine, and i wouldnt switch back for anything.... the only thing i use mono for is Kokanee and leaders....

even my trout rod has Nano Fil on it.....

Evo you drift fish braid? I tried that and didn't like it.

I love braid in the surf. Total game changer when striper fishing.

I love braid for saltwater fishing, but do not like it for any steelhead fishing applications. All mono, all the time.

Fish on...

Todd

yes, i use it for drift fishing... that was pretty much the only thing i needed to get used to, and now that i am, i wouldnt take it any other way....

im not saying i "wont" use mono, i carry a 1200 yard spool of it in 12 and a 1000 yard spool in 10 lb just in case something happens...

braid can actually mess with you with certain actions of rods, braid can make a stiff tip sensitive, and a sensitive a holy [Bleeeeep!]! tip.... you just have to re wire yourself to adjust to it...

and honestly, i dont really drift fish that much anymore, i do, but not like i was... ive learned that if i come through there with a float and eggs, a spoon, and a twitching jig, if there is something there, it will bite it on one of those passes with one of those lures....

but, sometimes i go back to my roots and drift, just not as much as i used to, ive been having fun the last few years using other methods...

braid on twitching is insane, spoons, same thing, as well as drifting.... the strikes are violent and everything is tight just like i like it.... just something ive gotten used to, it probably isnt for everyone, but if you can get used to it, its worth it i think...

and Jake is right about the braid freezing, that is one of the main reasons i carry a large spool of mono, but ive never had anything lock up so tight i needed to switch.....

Someone who is a good drift fisherman doesn't need braid to feel the bite.

Most people aren't willing to devote the time into becoming proficient at drift fishing. Here in California most people just hang out at terminal areas and try and floss fish with 20 foot leaders. I was salmon fishing recently and these guys were flabberghasted that I landed a fish on a blue fox. One guy said " wow you got lucky ,I've never seen ANYONE hook one of these fish legit like that. This is a common theme that I see,people taking the easy way out because they either don't know better or they don't care. This thread is almsot hijacked. Sorry.

Wouldn't necessarily say braid is used just to help feel the bite. Its more versatile and not a pain in the a$$ to fish like mono is. Although it can make an $80 rod feel like one that cost 4x that.

Just how is mono a pain? I think braid can be a nightmare in the wind and with tip wrap,although tip tops are being designed to remedy that. Also an 80 dollar rod? Dont be cheap lol

Fishstickk thats not me but I can see how you'd think that haha.

For me I've grown so used to braid that whenever I used mono the inconveniences of my main line breaking, kinking and stretching on the hookset make me glad I switched. Tip wrap can be avoided with a stiffer braid in many cases. I'm definitely not a fan of the super limp braids that behave like dental floss.

Interesting. In my experience, a fisherman that unconsciously sets the hook (muscle reflex) on a bite will usually blow up their mono leaders when using braid for mainline. The stretch of mono main line provides a shock absorber when you swing for the fences on a hook set.

Its not necessary to swing for the fences with braid in the first place. I still do it tho haha cuz thats the fun of fishing. I've never popped a leader but I don't fish under 12lb usually.